Emperor Motion Pictures signed a five-year, three-picture deal with Chinese box office king Ge You to develop tailor-made vehicles for the actor-director-producer to star in, which he might also direct and produce if he chooses to. EMP has agreed to invest not less than $78 million into the three projects.

The romance movie “Dear Enemy”, dedicated to this year’s Christmas, is due to hit the national screens on December 23. A batch of new still photos was released today in the run up of its release. Lead actress and director of the movie Xu Jinglei and lead actor Stanley Huang were featured in the pictures wearing bathrobes and standing on the street.

In “Strawberry Cliff,” a supernatural thriller about a young woman who can foresee people’s deaths, director Chris Chow was able to break from formulas and plot conventions that he typically sticks to in his screenwriting work.

It also stars Eason Chan, one of Hong Kong’s most popular actors, as a Hong Kong bartender who shares a soul with both an American man and a French woman. For Mr. Chan, best known for Cantopop ballads and comedic roles, it’s a both a weightier-than-usual part and his first in English.

Mr. Chow currently is working on screenplays for a few films, including one with director John Woo. “Flying Tigers,” which Mr. Woo says he plans to begin shooting next year, is about the group of American combat pilots who fought with the Chinese military against the Japanese during World War II.

Chen Kun will portray a nefarious eunuch with high level kung-fu skills, going up against Ming Dynasty general Chow Wai-On, played by Jet Li. Newly released still photos, showcasing Chen’s unique make-up and luxurious costumes, give audiences a glimpse of the character that Chen is set to portray.

At the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival, which took place from October 20-30, the director revealed that the film would be released on the mainland, and beared this in mind during the filming process. “I’ve prepared backup materials for the sensitive content that may be disapproved by the Film Board,” he said in an interview. So, there is no need for movie fans to worry about losing the original flavor when watching Ko’s latest creation on mainland cinema screens.

The perfect kung fu duo—Tsui Hark and Jet Li—pose for a photo shoot for “GQ” magazine to promote their new wuxia martial arts flick “Flying Swords of the Dragon Gate 3D” slated for release on December 16.

Many fans, however, were less than thrilled with a crude joke actor Eric Tsang made about the film You Are the Apple of My Eye. Tsang cohosted the ceremony with his daughter, Mando-pop singer and actress Bowie Tsang.

The Chinese title of the sweet-natured comedy, which is about a group of high school friends engaged in a romantic rivalry, literally translates as “Those years, we chased the same girl.” The film has set box office records in Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong and a single off its soundtrack, Those Years (那些年), has become a major hit.

The movie is so influential, Tsang declared during the ceremony, that Hong Kong director Wong Jing, a prolific director with infamously crass sensibilities, wants to make his own version. The title? “Those years, when we raped the same girl”.

“That sounds a little scary,” Bowie Tsang responded to her father as their celebrity audience giggled nervously.

Lin Chi-ling probably wishes the media had some boundaries, too. The supermodel celebrated her 37th birthday last week, which led to yet another round of tabloid speculation about when she will finally find a husband…Gossip reporters were horrified by the idea of Taiwan’s top model becoming a 40-year-old spinster. “I feel like everyone asks me the same question every year,” said Lin with a giant smile plastered across her face. “I never have a different answer. It makes me feel depressed.”

Soon after Andy Lau’s admission that he is going to be a father, fellow “Heavenly King” Leon Lai hinted that he may well be next, during the premiere of his new film “White Vengeance” on Tuesday, reported Hong Kong media.

Benny Chan recently shared a piece of happy news amidst all the negativity he’s been getting due to his improper behaviour towards 19-year-old actress Rose Chan.

Previously, a tabloid claimed that Benny paid Rose HK$1 million as a form of compensation. Commenting on the report, the actor said, “Today’s my two queens’ birthday. Let’s not talk about that.” (Sina)

Chan’s wife, Lisa Jiang, a Chinese former-model, was due to give birth in mid-December but delivered her daughter earlier via Cesarean section because the baby’s umbilical cord was coiled around its neck.

“Because this day is my wife Lisa Jiang’s 26th birthday and is also the day my daughter is born, it is especially memorable,” Chan told reporters.

Honestly, the situation in Japan seems dire. Circumstances are worsening, official reports appear sugar-coated and the response so far does not appear effective. The citizens, surely, feel frustrated and abandoned. But let’s, at least, recognize the bravery of the Fukushima 50.

Distribution Workshop has picked up international sales rights to the Jet Li film The Sorcerer And The White Snake. Hong Kong action choreographer and film director/producer Tony Ching Siu-tung is directing the film.

Eva Huang (Kung Fu Hustle) stars as the White Snake of the title, who transforms into a beautiful woman to rescue and live with the man she falls in love with – an herbal physician played by Raymond Lam. When their town is plagued by a mysterious disease, she sacrifices her supernatural power and energy to help him save people but is found out to be a serpent when the Sorceror played by Jet Li arrives. Charlene Choi of The Twins Effect series also stars as Green Snake who helps the white one.

Venus Keung (One Nite In Mongkok) is director of photography while William Chang (2046) is costume director.

Patrick Kong’s (Yip Lin-Sum) Mr. and Mrs. Single has been quietly dropped from the Valentine’s Day slot and rescheduled for an April release. Rene Liu and Eason Chan star in the comedy.

Buddha Mountain starring Fan Bingbing is about to be released on Mar. 4

Shing Fui-On suffers recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
The 54 year-old actor was treated in 2004 with chemo and radiation therapy and he lost 45kg in weight. He also lost his sense of taste and hearing. Nonetheless, Shing was elected village head in Sai Kung and later ran for election to the legislature but was defeated.
Nick Cheung, also a Sai Kung resident, went directly from shooting To Live and Die in Mongkok to visit Shing at the Hong Kong Baptist Hospital. He is due to be released in a couple days.